Big Bots, Little Bots, Rolling Bots, and Climbing Bots. You name it, there are probably several robots in our lab that can do it. We may not own every robot on the market (yet), but the ones we do own keep things fun around here.

Our robots are divided into three categories – pre-assembled, assembly-required, and discontinued robots. Anytime we find that one of our bots has been retired, we’ll move it to the discontinued section.

Note: Sphero’s RVR is an all-terrain robot that can be used right out of the box and it’s customizable. That makes RVR the best of both worlds. As Sphero so aptly puts it on their website – “Code with it, build on it, and hack the robot of your dreams.  With RVR, you can go anywhere and do anything.”


Pre-Assembled Robots in Our Lab


Pre-assembled robots can provide your kids hours of fun straight out of the box. But are they the best option? Check out our Buying the Perfect Robot post to weigh the pros and cons of a pre-assembled robot.

Cozmo

A gear-framed image of Digital Dream Labs' Cozmo Robot
Anki’s Friendly Little Robot is now owned by
Digital Dream Labs
  • Anki’s Cozmo Release Info: 2016 – 2019
  • DDLs’ Cozmo 2.0 Release Info: early 2022
  • App-Enabled: Yes
  • Skill Level: 8+
  • Controller: Compatible iOS/Android Device Only
  • Programmable: Yes

RVR

A gear-framed image of Sphero's RVR robot
Sphero’s All-Terrain Robot Car
  • Release Info: 2019 –
  • App-Enabled: Yes
  • Skill Level: 8+
  • Controller: Compatible iOS/Android Device Only
  • Programmable: Yes

Bolt

A gear-framed image of Sphero's Bolt robot
Sphero’s Robotic Ball
  • Release Info: 2018 –
  • App-Enabled: Yes
  • Skill Level: 8+
  • Controller: Compatible iOS/Android Device Only
  • Programmable: Yes

Assembly-Required Robots in Our Lab


Assembly-required robots are great for the little engineers in your family since they’re more likely to enjoy the experience of building their robot as much as controlling it. Check out our Buying the Perfect Robot post to weigh the pros and cons of an assembly-required robot.

RVR

A gear-framed image of Sphero's RVR robot
Sphero’s All-Terrain Robot Car
  • Release Info: 2019 –
  • App-Enabled: Yes
  • Skill Level: 8+
  • Controller: Compatible iOS/Android Device Only
  • Programmable: Yes

Robot Inventor

A gear-framed image of LEGO's Robot Inventor kit
LEGO Mindstorms’ Robot Inventor
  • Release Info: 2020 –
  • App-Enabled: Yes
  • Skill Level: 10+
  • Controller: Compatible iOS/Android Device
  • Programmable: Yes

Discontinued Robots in 0ur Lab


Several robots in our lab have been discontinued or retired from production, but we still plan on creating fun content for them as we have time. However, you will want to do additional research before making a purchase, if you find one of them for sale. Check out our Buying the Perfect Robot article for the pros and cons of purchasing a discontinued robot.

BB-8

A gear-framed image of Sphero's legacy BB-8 robot
Star Wars’ Loyal and Skittish Astromech Droid by Sphero
  • Release Info: 2015 – 2018
  • App-Enabled: Yes
  • Skill Level: 8+
  • Controller: Compatible iOS/Android Device Only
  • Programmable: Yes

R2-D2

A gear-framed image of Sphero's legacy R2-D2 robot
Star Wars’ Resourceful little Astromech Droid by Sphero
  • Release Info: 2017 – 2018
  • App-Enabled: Yes
  • Skill Level: 8+
  • Controller: Compatible iOS/Android Device Only
  • Programmable: Yes

BB-9E

A gear-framed image of Sphero's legacy BB-9E robot
Star Wars’ Top-Of-The-Line Astromech Droid by Sphero
  • Release Info: 2017 – 2018
  • App-Enabled: Yes
  • Skill Level: 8+
  • Controller: Compatible iOS/Android Device Only
  • Programmable: Yes

Droid Commander Set

A gear-framed image of LEGO's Boost Droid Commander robot kit
Three Fun Star Wars Droids Share One LEGO Boost Move Hub
  • Release Info: 2019 – 2021
  • App-Enabled: Yes
  • Skill Level: 8+
  • Controller: Compatible iOS/Android Device
  • Programmable: Yes

EV3

A gear-framed image of LEGO's EV3 robot kit
LEGO’s 3rd Generation Mindstorms Robotics Kit
  • Release Info: 2013 – 2021
  • App-Enabled: Yes
  • Skill Level: 10+
  • Controller: Remote Control or Compatible iOS/Android Device
  • Programmable: Yes

NXT

A gear-framed image of LEGO's NXT robot kit
Johnny 5 From Short Circuit
Uses Two 2nd Generation Mindstorms Robotics Kits
  • Release Info: 2006 – 2013
  • App-Enabled: No
  • Skill Level: 10+
  • Controller: PC/Mac & NXT Intelligent Brick
  • Programmable: Yes